Over the years, the Blades
of Steel Metalfest earned a well-deserved reputation as a premier
destination for metal fans, consistently delivering memorable performances and
an atmosphere that was both energetic and welcoming. Each edition offered an
opportunity to experience great bands in an intimate setting while reconnecting
with friends and fellow fans from across the metal community.
This year’s festival,
appropriately billed “The Final Ride,” marked the conclusion of an era.
Promoter Randy Kastner worked tirelessly to assemble another
three-day celebration of heavy metal, bringing together a lineup and atmosphere
worthy of the festival’s legacy.
Once again, Blades of
Steel delivered the kind of experience that makes live music so
special: powerful performances, a passionate audience, and a strong sense of
community. With this final edition, the festival leaves behind a lasting
collection of memories for the fans, musicians, and everyone who helped make it
possible.
For those who were there, it
was a fitting farewell to a festival that had become an important part of
Madison’s metal scene. For those who missed it, they missed something truly
special.
Madison, Wisconsin will never rock quite the same way again!
Florida’s Living
Fast had the distinction of opening this year’s festival, and they
wasted no time making their presence felt. From the moment they hit the stage,
the band had the crowd engaged, delivering exactly the kind of high-energy
performance needed to kick off three days of heavy metal.
Living Fast had all the right ingredients: the
look, the attitude, the songs, and—perhaps most importantly—the authenticity to
back it all up. There was nothing contrived about their approach. The band wore
its love for classic heavy metal proudly, channeling the spirit and energy of
the genre’s traditional sound while delivering a performance that felt
genuinely enthusiastic and alive.
The musicians clearly enjoyed
every moment onstage, and that enthusiasm quickly became contagious. Their
performance had the feel of a band that understands why heavy metal has endured
for generations and has no intention of letting that tradition fade.
Living Fast recently released its debut
album, Running Across Steel, giving fans an opportunity to take
that energy home with them. If their festival performance was any indication,
this is a band with plenty of road ahead of them—and the potential to make a
serious mark in the years to come.
Wisconsin’s own Viogression brought
a dose of local death metal to the festival, and the veteran outfit wasted no
time reminding everyone why they have earned their legendary status. Led by the
charismatic Brian DeNeffe, the band delivered a punishing,
uncompromising set that left little doubt about their intentions.
There was something
particularly defining about Viogression’s performance. Their
sound is firmly rooted in traditional death metal, but beneath the crushing
riffs and relentless attack are intricate arrangements and technical elements
that give the songs considerably more depth. The combination creates a sound
that feels both rooted in the genre’s classic foundation and distinctly their
own.
Since reforming in 2014, Viogression has
released an EP and two full-length albums, continuing to build upon a legacy
that has made them an important name in Wisconsin’s extreme-metal scene. Their
experience was evident throughout the set, with the band sounding confident,
focused, and completely at home onstage.
DeNeffe’s commanding presence provided a
natural focal point, while the rest of the band delivered the crushing musical
backdrop with precision. The result was a performance that was heavy without
sacrificing the technical musicianship woven throughout their material.
Viogression played an excellent set and received
a well-deserved response from the crowd. For a festival celebrating its final
ride, having a respected Wisconsin metal institution like Viogression on
the bill was a fitting reminder of the talent and history that exists right in
Madison’s own backyard.
Mexico’s Phantom hit
the stage with an immediate and unmistakable attack, delivering their brand of
traditional thrash metal with plenty of energy and attitude. From the opening
moments, the band felt fresh and genuinely excited to be there, and that
enthusiasm quickly spread through the room.
Phantom doesn’t overcomplicate its approach.
Their music is direct, aggressive, and firmly rooted in the classic thrash
tradition. That straightforward attack proved to be a perfect fit for the
festival crowd, who responded enthusiastically to the band’s no-frills assault.
The band is currently promoting
its latest album, Not Midnight Yet, a release that has been
steadily building a following. The songs translated particularly well to the
live setting, with the band emphasizing the speed, aggression, and raw energy
that have always made traditional thrash such an enduring force.
Phantom’s set was concise and focused, with no
wasted motion or unnecessary distractions. They came to Madison with a
challenge in front of them—win over a crowd that had gathered for three days of
heavy metal—and they accepted it without hesitation.
By the time they walked
offstage, the verdict from the audience was unmistakable: Phantom had
conquered!
Louisiana’s Void made
a return to the festival after appearing here the previous year, when they were
already one of the weekend’s highlights. A year later, however, the band’s
growth was impossible to ignore. Whatever progress they had made since their
last appearance was on full display, and what unfolded onstage was nothing
short of remarkable.
Vocalist Jackson
Davenport completely commanded the room. His stage presence was larger
than life, embodying the theatrical intensity that has always been an essential
part of heavy metal. He knew how to work the audience, when to pull them in,
and when to unleash the full force of the band.
Void has also developed an image that
sets them apart. Elements of horror and goth culture are woven into their
presentation without overshadowing the music. Instead, the visual aesthetic
enhances the atmosphere, giving each performance its own distinct identity.
Combine that with strong musicianship and an almost excessive level of energy,
and Void becomes the kind of band that demands attention from the moment they
take the stage.
Perhaps most
impressively, Void doesn’t simply repeat the same performance
night after night. They seem intent on making every appearance an experience,
and their Blades of Steel set was a perfect example of that
philosophy.
The band recently signed
with Metal Blade Records and has completed work on a brand-new
album, currently expected to arrive in March 2027. If this performance was any
indication of what’s coming next, Void is a band worth keeping
a very close eye on.
Watch out. Void is
coming!
Lords of the Trident represented the hometown contingent,
bringing Madison’s own brand of heavy-metal enthusiasm to the festival. And
yes, unlike many of the other bands on the bill, these guys didn’t have to
worry about finding a hotel room for the night!
The band’s presentation exists
somewhere between imagination, theatricality, and a genuine love of video
games, but at its core is an undeniable affection for heavy metal. That
combination gives Lords of the Trident an identity all their
own. Their performance was colorful, entertaining, and completely committed to
the experience.
More importantly, the
connection between the band and the audience was immediate. There was a
wonderful sense of harmony between the stage and the crowd, with both feeding
off the other’s energy throughout the set. It was clear that everyone in the
room was having a great time, and that enthusiasm made the performance all the
more enjoyable.
Of course, the fun and
theatrics would mean little without the musical substance to back them up.
Fortunately, Lords of the Trident delivered. The songs were
strong, the lead breaks were intense, and the songwriting demonstrated plenty
of creativity. Beneath all the spectacle was a band with serious musical chops
and a clear understanding of what makes heavy metal exciting.
Lords of the Trident definitely struck the right chord with the hometown crowd. They brought the fun, delivered the riffs, and left the audience with plenty of smiles at the end of their set. For a festival celebrating its final ride, having Madison’s own Lords of the Trident along for the journey was a fitting—and thoroughly entertaining—addition.
Firewind brought the unmistakable spirit of
European power metal to the festival, and their performance demonstrated
exactly why the band has established itself as a formidable force within the
genre. From the opening notes, the group delivered a polished, powerful
presentation that combined precision musicianship with the sheer energy of a
live metal performance.
Guitarist Gus G. was
a major focal point throughout the set, delivering impressive riffs and
dazzling lead work that repeatedly drew the audience’s attention. His playing
was technically accomplished without ever losing sight of the power and melody
that define Firewind’s sound.
Vocalist Henning
Basse proved equally commanding, working the crowd with confidence
while delivering a powerful vocal performance. Behind them, the rhythm section
supplied the massive low-end foundation that gave each song its weight and
impact. Together, the musicians created a wall of sound that seemed to explode
with every number.
What made Firewind’s performance
particularly effective was the balance between musicianship and accessibility.
The technical elements were there for those who appreciate them, but the songs
remained immediate, melodic, and powerful enough to connect with the entire audience.
There was little room for
anything but appreciation during this set. Firewind delivered
a textbook example of modern European power metal—musically impressive, highly
energetic, and built for the stage. This was power metal at full force, and the
festival crowd responded accordingly.
Finland’s Ensiferum headlined
the first night of the festival, and judging by the anticipation in the room,
there were plenty of fans who had been waiting all day for this moment. When
the band finally took the stage, they delivered exactly what the audience had
come to see: a powerful and thoroughly engaging set of Finnish folk metal
steeped in fantasy, mythology, and legendary tales.
One of the most compelling
elements of Ensiferum’s performance was the contrast between
its two vocalists. Clean vocals were paired with harsh, death-metal growls,
creating a dramatic push and pull that added considerable intensity to the
songs. At times, the effect was almost cinematic, as if two opposing forces
were battling for control onstage—the forces of good and evil colliding through
crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and furious vocals.
That theatrical quality never
came at the expense of the music. Ensiferum is a remarkably
tight live band, and every musical element worked together to create an
atmosphere that was both epic and aggressive. Their songs carried the weight of
ancient legends while maintaining the energy and immediacy of modern metal.
The audience became an
essential part of the performance as well, particularly during the numerous
sing-along moments. Fans enthusiastically joined in, transforming the venue
into something that felt less like a concert hall and more like a massive gathering
on a mythical battlefield.
Ensiferum didn’t simply close the first
night—they took the audience on an adventure. By the time the final notes rang
out, the evening had been brought to a fitting conclusion, and there could
hardly have been a more appropriate band to deliver it. Ensiferum closed
the first night in grand style, leaving the crowd energized and ready for the
next chapter of the festival.
Mark Kadzielawa
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